Philadelphia Phillies: Phils and Rangers finalize Young trade

FILE - In this March 7, 2012, file photo, Texas Rangers first baseman Michael Young throws out San Diego Padres' Mark Kotsay after making a diving stop that saved a run from scoring during the second inning of a spring training baseball game in Peoria, Ariz. A person familiar with the trade says the Philadelphia Phillies have acquired the seven-time All-Star from the Texas for two relief pitchers. Young agreed to waive his no-trade clause on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been announced. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi , File)

The Phillies arenít getting any younger in the infield for 2013. They just hope they are getting more competent.

After a couple of days of soul-searching by Michael Young and a little haggling over the details, the Phils and Texas Rangers were able to finalize the structure of a trade that will bring the veteran infielder to Philadelphia in exchange for right-handed reliever Josh Lindblom and Double-A reliever Lisalverto Bonilla. The Phillies also get approximately $10 million from Texas to offset much of the $16 million Young makes in 2013, the final year of his contract.

Young, the career hits leader of the Texas franchise, had the right to veto the trade because of his tenure. He agreed to the deal, although reports out of Texas say he negotiated an additional $1.2 million into the deal -- perhaps in part because there are no state or city wage taxes in Texas.

The trade doesnít become official until the players pass physicals, but Young has been one of the most durable players in the game over the past decade, so that shouldnít be an issue.

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The Phillies are taking a gamble with Young, since last season his offensive numbers

There is a chance that the 36-year-old is simply showing his age. But Young, who started his career as a second baseman, then shifted to shortstop (where he won a Gold Glove in 2008), then moved to third base, made public his displeasure when he initially shifted to third. He was further nonplussed when the Rangers took away a regular fielding position altogether from him in the last two seasons, instead using him as a designated hitter for about half the time and shuttling him all around the infield the other half.

Young has been known more for his bat than glove, but he has a history of getting better with time at each position. His first season at third base his range figures were woeful, but by his second season there he was getting to more plays. Still, in an infield where age is starting to show in diminished range, he isnít going to make matters better. Itís likely he often will be replaced late in games by Freddy Galvis.

If he hits like he has for most of his career, the Charlie Manuel wonít mind making some double-switches.

Since 2001, Young has 2,230 hits, which are the fourth-most in baseball during that 12-year span behind Ichiro Suzuki (2,606), Derek Jeter (2,296) and Albert Pujols (2,246). He led the majors in batting in 2005 (.331) and twice led the American League in hits during an era when Ichiro had a monopoly in that department. Most importantly for a team that has some expensive porcelain players who keep getting chipped, Young only has played less than 155 games in a season once since becoming an everyday player in his second year.

In a perfect world, Youngís right-handed bat will sit behind Jimmy Rollinsí at the top of the order and provide far better production at third base than the Phils got last season -- although devotees of sabermetrics might consider that a bad move even when Young is at his best. Young doesnít walk often -- just 33 free passes in 651 plate appearances last season -- and is derided as an overrated player by the SABR crowd.

Regardless, the free-agent market this winter was miserable at third base, and the Phils were desperate to improve their production at third, where the six players who shared the spot combined for just 42 RBIs last season while representing the hot corner.

They got Young fairly cheaply, and that addition and the acquisition of Ben Revere from the Twins in a trade Thursday leaves them money to use for an outfielder with pop in his bat. The biggest name remaining on the free-agent market is that of Josh Hamilton, who in recent days has had the Red Sox and Yankees gaining interest. However, in Young the Phillies acquired one of Hamiltonís closest confidants in Texas, so it will be interesting to see if the Phillies try to make their first serious attempt to woo the 2010 A.L. MVP to the heart of their lineup.